GENUS. MELITÆA, _Fabr._ Argynnis, _Latr. et God._ Papilio (Dan. Festiv.)
_Drury_.
MELITÆA THAROS. Alis subrotundatis integerrimis, supra fulvis, lineis
plurimis transversis limboque communi nigris, posticis utrinque ad
extimum strigâ punctorum nigrorum. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 6 lin. fere.)
SYN. Papilio (Dan. Festiv.) Tharos, _Drury_, _App. v._ 2. _Cramer, pl._
169. _fig._ E. F.
Argynnis Tharossa, _Latr. et God. Encycl. Méth._ ix. _p._ 289. _No._ 61.
HABITAT: New York.
{40}_Upper Side._ Head, body, and abdomen dark brown. Anterior wings
varied with dark brown and orange; in some the dark brown occupying the
greater part of the wings, in others the orange colour is predominant;
but the tips and external edges in all are dark brown; in some two ocelli
are seen close to the anterior edge, and near the lower corner; but in
others these ocelli are not to be discovered. Posterior wings dark brown
and orange. Round the edge is a waved dark border, through which a small
waved white line, runs from the anal angle about half way; above this are
placed, in a row, five round ocelli, and one oblong, next the anal angle;
the pupils being black, and the irides orange colour. Above these is a
broad orange-coloured band, and next the body the wings are dark brown.
All the wings are entire.
_Under Side._ Anterior wings, at the base, deep clay-coloured, with some
dark brown clouds on the anterior edges and interior angles; but in some
these clouds are hardly perceptible. In some a small scolloped line runs
along the external edges, from the tips to the lower corners, of a
reddish hue; in others this is not to be seen, having a dark brown border
in that part. Posterior wings very pale clay-coloured, with a cloud on
the middle of the external edges, of a reddish brown; where (in some) is
a silver spot like a half moon. The black pupils of the six ocelli, seen
on the upper side, are, in some specimens, very small here, and just
perceptible; in others they are not to be seen. "In short, nature forms
such a variety of this species, that it is difficult to set bounds, or to
know all that belongs to it."--_Drury._